The compromise was formally introduced today, after Republicans Bob Corker of Tennessee and John Hoeven of North Dakota worked out final details. SEN. JOHN HOEVEN, R-N.D.: This is about securing the border first and doing comprehensive immigration reform and doing it right.
They know that, if they learn English, they earn more money. RAY SUAREZ : Professor, does this take us to someplace different from what faced earlier generations of immigrants? People came to this country from BARBARA MUJICA : Well, immigrants I would like to may I respond?
Its desirable. And people who immigrants who know English are making more or less the same hourly salary as native-born Americans or naturalized citizens. RAY SUAREZ : Professor Mujica, Max Sevillia, that you both.
RAY SUAREZ : immigrant Yes, go ahead. BARBARA MUJICA : I think we agree on a number of things. I think one of the problems that were facing right now is that we dont learn have enough classes available.
Under current law, only applicants for essay immigrants should learn english U.S. citizenship, not those applying for green cards, must prove English proficiency. For a debate on that issue, we turn to Barbara Mujica, a professor of Spanish literature at Georgetown University, and Max Sevillia of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, NALEO. The Rubio amendment, Sen. Rubios amendment doesnt provide any tools to empower people to actually learn English and meet this added demand. Therefore, what its doing, its actually filtering down and creating an impediment, a barrier for immigrants to actually continue to move forward in the path to legalization. And then again, this is this amendment is very particular to the undocumented community. Its the only community going through the immigration process and attempting to become legal permanent residents that will be required to pass this English proficiency exam.
It wouldnt apply to agricultural workers. It wouldnt apply to adults going through the how many illegal immigrants have been deported under obama blog greek immigration to america business process. It would be unique to these undocumented communities that will be RPIs. RAY SUAREZ : Well, let me just close with this simple question. But 51 percent of them say that they dont know English very well. And. RAY SUAREZ : But isnt that some of the difference in the both the number and the percentage that the average foreign-born person in the United States in 1980 had been in the country longer than the average foreign-born person today. Online, you can view our entire portfolio of stories on this issue. Watch my discussion series examining the legislation, and track the debate on our Immigration page. What I like permanent resident becoming us citizen forum about the amendment that Marco Rubio is proposing is that it provides another incentive for people to improve their English. Having proficiency doesnt mean that you have to speak English like a native speaker.
MAX SEVILLIA, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials: No, theres not. Theres a language requirement vis-a-vis, as you were saying, naturalizing and becoming a U.S. citizen. And what Sen. The current bipartisan proposal actually incentivizes individuals, immigrants, to learn English. It now gives them the option of either passing an exam and showing English proficiency or taking enrolling essay immigrants should learn english in a course. So, Professor, if you support the language requirement, you would want, what, more essay immigrants should learn english resources. BARBARA MUJICA : I would want courses. I would want yes, I would want more resources allocated to that.
But 51 percent of them say that they dont know English very well. And. RAY SUAREZ : But isnt that some of the difference in the both the number and the percentage that the average foreign-born person in the United States in 1980 had been in the country longer than the average foreign-born person today.. RAY SUAREZ : Reid aims to finish work on the bill next week, before the July 4 recess. Meanwhile, the House is crafting its own bill focused entirely on border enforcement. We know from experts right now that approximately 5.5 approximately 55 percent of individuals, anywhere between four million to six million undocumented, will currently not pass the sort of exam that Rubio is trying to impose at this time after 10 years.